- Tempting his offer, but Your Majesty has ordered me to take him alive. He said every man deserves a fair trial.
- Very noble of him.
- I agree, although my will is to send you to your beloved in hell. - I said laughing ironically. - Isn't that how every couple in love should end?
Roy had a laugh.
- Aila? - Alec screamed in the room. He looked at me from top to bottom. - Are you all right?
- I'm fine! - I said triumphantly. - Better impossible!
- Did you really need to do that? - he asked by putting his hand where I hit.
I let out a laugh on my shoulders.
- I never would have let myself go if I hadn't done what I did.
- Well! You're right about that. - he said smiling and approached. - made a nice choice in keeping him alive.
- I know that!
Alec looked at where Aileen was lying and ran towards her. I looked at Roy with disdain.
- Stay still! - said taking a few steps backwards going towards a rope that was close by.
Roy was unarmed and there were no weapons near him to try to escape. Turning around, I lowered myself to get the rope.
- Look out! - Alec yelled at me making me turn the body around again.
Roy had removed the dagger from his shoulder and was preparing to shoot at me. It was then that he groaned with his eyes full of holes and fell on his stomach at my feet. An arrow was stuck in his back. I looked towards Alec and saw Aileen sitting with a beast in her hands. She was breathing fast and scared and dropped her gun as soon as I found out that Roy was dead. Alec helped her stand up and untied her hands. Aileen ran into my arms and held me tight.
- I'm so sorry! - she said between tears. - I couldn't lose her again.
- It's okay! It's okay! - I whispered by passing my hands on his hair. - It's over!
Alec nodded looking at me and came towards me. He hugged us in a protective way and we left the salon. We had to notify Roy's death and the end of the battle. Nothing in the world could explain the relief I felt at that moment. Turning around to look inside the room when we arrived at the door, I contemplated Roy's body once again just to make sure he was really dead.
- It's over! - I whispered before I smiled and went to the yard.
Epilogue
Some time later...
The evening sun was shining behind the mountains. The reflections could also be seen contrasting with the calm waters of the lake. It was the harbinger of a warm, hopeful spring. I smiled when I heard the sound of the trumpets asking everyone's attention. There was a great party to celebrate the victory over Roy MacGregor and union of the clans in a single kingdom. The celebration lasted for days and extended to England, where my father would make the announcement and I would be crowned princess. Alistair had already crowned Alec at a ceremony in Dunhill Castle. Before we left, the MacCalister brothers received the news of Brice's death and a letter asked that no celebration be replaced by a commotion. Brice asked us to celebrate according to our traditions.
- Nervous? - Aideen asked, finishing up the long braid.
- No. - I answered smiling. - Are you?
- Preoccupied. - she responded cautiously.
It would be the first time she'd come face to face with our father. Phillipe had made a point of extending the festivities to announce his two daughters as court ladies and legitimate heirs.
- What's the king like? - Aideen asked.
I smiled at her and turned her over to face the mirror.
- Just like you. - I answered.
The smile I was sporting disappeared from my lips.
- What's going on?
- That's not the face of a princess. - I answered sadly. - See how many scars.
Aideen smiled, taking my face in her hands. She kissed every little scar she found. They were subtle, but they bothered me because they were visible.
- I love each of them for reflecting their courage. - Aideen smiled. - If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have survived to find the most wonderful man I know.
Aideen took a break. She went to the trunk at the foot of the bed and took something out of it. Smiling, she handed me a little package.
- What's that? What's that? - I asked.
- A gift for being the wonderful person you are.
Frowning my forehead, I opened the package and held my breath.
- How did you find her?
- I found her in the middle of the things Mom hid that she had burned. I'd like a souvenir from you, but I must return it to its owner.
Smile contemplating the little cloth doll that Darla MacBride had made for me. She had been the sweetest grandmother a girl could ever ask for. Although she knew the whole truth, she made a point of treating us like her own blood. She also owed a lot to her husband who made me the warrior I had become.
- I love you so much! - I whispered hugging Aideen. - Thanks for saving it.
- You're welcome! I know how important she is to you and I
